Claire Cooper and Emmett J Scanlan welcome son

Claire Cooper and Emmett J Scanlan have welcomed their first child together into the world.

The ex-\'Hollyoaks\' actress has thanked the NHS team which helped her to give birth to her and Emmett\'s baby boy, and the 39-year-old star admitted she still has to "pinch herself" that she is a mum.

She wrote on Instagram: "And just like that I became a mamily

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"After 2 trips to the hospital, 40 hrs of labour & an emergency C section our little boy arrived

"So grateful to the entire team who supported us in all our choices at #arroweparkhospital before, during & after - it certainly got complicated in moments but then he\'s a wee Scanlan how are we surprised?! the #NHS team led us consistently with care & kindness & made us feel so safe & protected - thank you!!

"Finally a huge thank you to our Doula Jemma @the_hypnobirthing_doula_ who kept us so strong throughout, talked endlessly with me, always giving us the opportunity to discuss all our options & being the support we so needed

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"Now I must go pinch myself - we made a tiny human (sic)"

Emmett - who has a daughter, Kayla, from a previous relationship - wrote: "It\'s a boy."

The couple met on \'Hollyoaks\' with Claire starring as Jacqui McQueen from 2006 to 2013, and Emmett appeared as Brendan Brady from 2010 to 2013.

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Several of their former co-stars congratulated the pair on the birth of their baby boy.

Jennifer Metcalfe - who portrays Jacqui\'s on-screen sister Mercedes McQueen - wrote: "Aw my goodness (sic)"

Jamie Lomas (Warren Fox) posted: "Omg, congratulations. wishing you and your beautiful family all the happiness In the world (sic)"

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Nikki Sanderson wrote: "Congratulations. so happy for you both! Xxx (sic)"

Jorgie Porter (Theresa McQueen) tweeted: "Congratulations both of u xx xxxx (sic)"

Author Harlan Coben posted: "Soooooo happy. Didn\'t know I needed this. But I needed this (sic)"